Zimbabwe fans waking up to check on the cricket might wonder if they slept through the entire weekend, after a rolling Zimbabwe collapse spanning sixteen wickets and 43 overs brought the one-off Test in Napier hurtling to an early close. The innings-and-301-run defeat is their worst ever, eclipsing the loss they suffered to the same opposition in 2005 by seven runs. And though Regis Chakabva resisted valiantly with a 63 from 119 balls towards the end, it was little compensation for a catastrophic first innings in response to New Zealand's 495 for 7 declared.

Chris Martin finished with 8 for 31 for the day, bringing the top order to its knees in both innings before his team-mates smelled easy blood and continued the mauling. Sharp and disciplined, the New Zealand attack made the most of uncomfortable bounce and modest movement available, on a day where they only had to keep putting the ball just short of a length and await the bounty.

Zimbabwe had succumbed for 54 against South Africa on their last away Test tour six years ago, but they trumped even that ignominy at McLean Park, with a 51 all out in the first innings that lasted a shade under 29 overs. Tino Mawoyo and Forster Mutizwa were the first dominoes to fall, flailing wildly at Martin indippers that went on to disturb their stumps. Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor and Tatenda Taibu continued the spectacular surrender, pushing hard outside off stump to provide the slips with a supply of edges.

The visitors might have hoped to breach the follow-on target of 295, but not only did that seem a fanciful pipe dream at lunch, the rate of implosion suggested they wouldn't even manage 40. New Zealand's stand-in captain, Brendon McCullum, employed no fewer than seven catching men in addition to the keeper at one stage, to ensure each gift Zimbabwe bestowed could be happily accepted.

Malcolm Waller offered the only resistance, when he managed 23 before edging Tim Southee to the slips. At least he made a double figure score - something that evaded each of his team-mates, who between them recorded three ducks, two twos and three threes. After Waller's demise, the tail bowed as meekly as those who had gone before them at the top of the innings, who in turn padded up again for the second time in two hours.

They were all heading back to the changing room soon after though, as the Zimbabwe batting conveyor belt resumed either side of tea. Martin snared both Zimbabwe openers and captain Taylor, before two wickets to Doug Bracewell in the first over after the afternoon break reduced Zimbabwe to 12 for 5, with the day's running total at 63 for 15.

Chakabva and Graeme Cremer came together for the seventh wicket, with the total at 37 and their side facing the heaviest Test loss since 1938. But the pair finally found the application that had evaded Zimbabwe for 40 overs and prevented further infamy with a 63-run association. Both men were understandably reticent to begin with, but began to score runs off loose deliveries eventually, with Chakabva even venturing two cleanly struck boundaries off a Trent Boult over that eased the nerves. The pair survived the seamers, who had reaped 14 wickets between them in two sessions and had McCullum turning to his part-timers before Cremer abandoned judgement and his wicket, chipping a Kane Williamson full toss lamely to mid-off.

Chakabva continued his defiance in the company of a more aggressive minded Shingi Masakadza, completing a dogged first Test fifty from 82 deliveries to force New Zealand to call on the extra half hour to complete the win. When at one stage it seemed Zimbabwe would not eclipse BJ Watling's first innings 102 with both team totals combined, Zimbabwe's lower order restored a modicum of credibility, but fell short of the 151 that would have ensured Harare, 2005 would remain their worst loss.

The third morning had begun well enough for the visitors when Brian Vitori found late swing to dislodge Bracewell off the third ball of the day. But their start would have been yet brighter had Shingi Masakadza not overstepped two balls later. Watling was given out lbw to a delivery angling in to him, but was handed his first life upon review - one of many costly misses for Zimbabwe in the field.

Tim Southee, on orders to partner Watling for as long as possible rather than wield his characteristic long handle, ended up doing both. He battled out the first twenty minutes risk-free before two straight fours off Kyle Jarvis signaled intentions to propel New Zealand towards 500. Greed ended his enterprising innings at 44, as he looked to slam a third consecutive boundary off Cremer over midwicket only for Waller to swallow his mis-hit.

Boult saw Watling through to his ton, which didn't come without drama. He was dropped in the gully off Jarvis at 90, and at 94, was hurried-up by the dressing room who granted one more over to reach three figures before the declaration would come. A slog to midwicket off the next ball he faced brought him four, and he was almost run out attempting an ambitious two to get his century, with Watling only able to celebrate the milestone after the third umpire ruled him home by a whisker.

enigma ... what really is the difference of knowing you're going to lose when you play away and knowing you're going to lose whether you play away or not (both are ultimately predictable)? though i guess you didn't watch the games we played at home or you would know that actually draws were very much on the cards for the two games we didn't win! and the one we did - we loved and BD watched too!! Nobody is forced to watch a Test between Zim and NZ - I am in the UK and most of my cricket team-mates have no idea there was even a game - has it diminished their view of Test cricket...of course not, they could tell you - in detail = of KP woes vs sla, Bells in ability to pick length, Strauss's let off. While Zimbabwe got hammered into obscurity, Test cricket went on it's merry way. We will start to draw matches at home soon enough. There was a time, only a decade or so ago, when talk of stopping the ashes was more than tongue-in-cheek ... then along came a Zimbo and Eng's fortune's turned :)

enigma77543
on January 29, 2012, 14:14 GMT

"But I dont understand all this nonsense about how Zimbabwe and Bangladesh should not have test status. Australia were bowled out for 47 in South Africa. Look at India, first in England and now in Australia. Are these not great cricket nations?"
Again, you're comparing apples & oranges, the bigger teams have suffered this way at one another's hands in away-matches many a times, it's nothing new but the question is are Zim or Ban capable of pushing bigger teams in Tests? How about home Tests, can they win? Forget winning, they're incapable of even DRAWING matches; they can't even win ODIs & T20s against bigger teams CONSISTENTLY (where the divide between the teams is narrower than in Tests). I don't think people want minnows to be thrown out but there definitely needs to be a system to develop & grow them thru regular 4-day tournaments as I've suggested & given chances to improve but getting mauled by bigger teams doesn't do anything for their spirits or dwingling popularity of Tests

enigma77543
on January 29, 2012, 14:05 GMT

"How churlish of some people to question Zimbabwe's test status. If we're going to get carried away by big losses then shouldn't we remove India's test status after their capitulation in Australia!"
You want to question India's Test-status then go ahead but that's like comparing apples & oranges, they are an established Test-nation for a while & have won matches away & win consistently at home & that holds true for all Test-nations but Zim & Ban are incapable of wining home-Tests, let alone winning, they're incapable of even DRAWING matches, they're just incompetent & if you can't see that then I'm afraid you don't understand cricket too well.
"Soccer players count international goals scored against San Marino or Botswana, don't they?"
Another case of comparing apples & oranges, cricket is NOT football,it's much more complex & the divide between bigger & smaller teams is much much greater & takes time to bidge the gap & there's needs to be system for doing this & PATIENCE

Nduru
on January 29, 2012, 13:15 GMT

Actually, the likes of India and England should be more ashamed of their recent perfomances than Zimbabwe should ever be. India has all the cricket money and millions of cricket mad people to pick a team from. Zimbabwe has no resources and only a small percentage of our (only 14 million) population plays or even knows what cricket is. So I will always be proud of our team's efforts nomatter what all the silly haters say.

Mr-ZimCricket
on January 29, 2012, 12:01 GMT

thanx Tafadzwa, i appreciated reading your comment... my thinking around this defeat, despite the disappointment of having to stay up the whole night to watch wickets fall goes as follows: For the pas 6 - 8 years Zimbabwe cricket players have been playing 4 day cricket games only in Zimbabwe, the grounds they know and have come to master are the 5 or 6 cricket major cricket grounds that are used for first class cricket in zim. then they are welcome at naiper which was a pitch crafted by new Zealand with the full knowledge of how they saw the zim players last year. it was always going to be tough for the young players to get used to the condition quickly given their limited experience. however, the guys are representing a nationa and at test level, they need to show their strength in whatever condition. thus they will learn and over time they will def improve...watch for these players in the near future.

mahjut
on January 29, 2012, 12:00 GMT

@4test90. thanks for the suggestion...but i beleive (from what i hear) that one can survey the entire "city" from their bedroom window...what will they do with the other day and a half? ;P . Let me tell you - get out there and practice boys, you're in desperate need of it!!!

mahjut
on January 29, 2012, 11:52 GMT

I'm not here to give NZ praise - they've just won by an innings and 300 runs so i imagine they're surrounded in accolades at the moment. So, I'm here to befreind Zimbabawe instead - I guess the **Martin Williamson** who posted earlier has something to do with cricinfo or I am not sure why my question directed at him were not published...let me direct them elsewhere: Where were all you naysayers when Zim beat BD, where were you when we took PK to a 5th day in 1 attempt (something the #1 team has failed to do in 2)? Where were you when we almost beat NZ (despite not bowling them out twice - we created enough pressure with the ball to induce a declaration) in zim a few months back? I feel a lot of teams are frustrated with their own (Ind=whitewash, Aus=beaten by NZ at home+ 47a.o, SA=3 failures to win a series at home, Eng=no change of fortune in subcontinent as #1...) and are here to take it out on us. We will survive your verbal outrage and see y'all soon...at a test ground near you:);)

on January 29, 2012, 11:27 GMT

Awesome man!Dissapointed that I did not get a chance to watch the match on tv...lovely performance nz!keep it up...

4test90
on January 29, 2012, 9:46 GMT

To all the Zim players, the city of Napier was destroyed by earthquake in 1931, and rebuilt in art deco splendor, some beautiful buildings on the water - get out and see them, you have 2 full days to fill in !!

on January 29, 2012, 8:38 GMT

Actually I only just realized... Where was Guptil?

mahjut
on January 31, 2012, 0:37 GMT

enigma ... what really is the difference of knowing you're going to lose when you play away and knowing you're going to lose whether you play away or not (both are ultimately predictable)? though i guess you didn't watch the games we played at home or you would know that actually draws were very much on the cards for the two games we didn't win! and the one we did - we loved and BD watched too!! Nobody is forced to watch a Test between Zim and NZ - I am in the UK and most of my cricket team-mates have no idea there was even a game - has it diminished their view of Test cricket...of course not, they could tell you - in detail = of KP woes vs sla, Bells in ability to pick length, Strauss's let off. While Zimbabwe got hammered into obscurity, Test cricket went on it's merry way. We will start to draw matches at home soon enough. There was a time, only a decade or so ago, when talk of stopping the ashes was more than tongue-in-cheek ... then along came a Zimbo and Eng's fortune's turned :)

enigma77543
on January 29, 2012, 14:14 GMT

"But I dont understand all this nonsense about how Zimbabwe and Bangladesh should not have test status. Australia were bowled out for 47 in South Africa. Look at India, first in England and now in Australia. Are these not great cricket nations?"
Again, you're comparing apples & oranges, the bigger teams have suffered this way at one another's hands in away-matches many a times, it's nothing new but the question is are Zim or Ban capable of pushing bigger teams in Tests? How about home Tests, can they win? Forget winning, they're incapable of even DRAWING matches; they can't even win ODIs & T20s against bigger teams CONSISTENTLY (where the divide between the teams is narrower than in Tests). I don't think people want minnows to be thrown out but there definitely needs to be a system to develop & grow them thru regular 4-day tournaments as I've suggested & given chances to improve but getting mauled by bigger teams doesn't do anything for their spirits or dwingling popularity of Tests

enigma77543
on January 29, 2012, 14:05 GMT

"How churlish of some people to question Zimbabwe's test status. If we're going to get carried away by big losses then shouldn't we remove India's test status after their capitulation in Australia!"
You want to question India's Test-status then go ahead but that's like comparing apples & oranges, they are an established Test-nation for a while & have won matches away & win consistently at home & that holds true for all Test-nations but Zim & Ban are incapable of wining home-Tests, let alone winning, they're incapable of even DRAWING matches, they're just incompetent & if you can't see that then I'm afraid you don't understand cricket too well.
"Soccer players count international goals scored against San Marino or Botswana, don't they?"
Another case of comparing apples & oranges, cricket is NOT football,it's much more complex & the divide between bigger & smaller teams is much much greater & takes time to bidge the gap & there's needs to be system for doing this & PATIENCE

Nduru
on January 29, 2012, 13:15 GMT

Actually, the likes of India and England should be more ashamed of their recent perfomances than Zimbabwe should ever be. India has all the cricket money and millions of cricket mad people to pick a team from. Zimbabwe has no resources and only a small percentage of our (only 14 million) population plays or even knows what cricket is. So I will always be proud of our team's efforts nomatter what all the silly haters say.

Mr-ZimCricket
on January 29, 2012, 12:01 GMT

thanx Tafadzwa, i appreciated reading your comment... my thinking around this defeat, despite the disappointment of having to stay up the whole night to watch wickets fall goes as follows: For the pas 6 - 8 years Zimbabwe cricket players have been playing 4 day cricket games only in Zimbabwe, the grounds they know and have come to master are the 5 or 6 cricket major cricket grounds that are used for first class cricket in zim. then they are welcome at naiper which was a pitch crafted by new Zealand with the full knowledge of how they saw the zim players last year. it was always going to be tough for the young players to get used to the condition quickly given their limited experience. however, the guys are representing a nationa and at test level, they need to show their strength in whatever condition. thus they will learn and over time they will def improve...watch for these players in the near future.

mahjut
on January 29, 2012, 12:00 GMT

@4test90. thanks for the suggestion...but i beleive (from what i hear) that one can survey the entire "city" from their bedroom window...what will they do with the other day and a half? ;P . Let me tell you - get out there and practice boys, you're in desperate need of it!!!

mahjut
on January 29, 2012, 11:52 GMT

I'm not here to give NZ praise - they've just won by an innings and 300 runs so i imagine they're surrounded in accolades at the moment. So, I'm here to befreind Zimbabawe instead - I guess the **Martin Williamson** who posted earlier has something to do with cricinfo or I am not sure why my question directed at him were not published...let me direct them elsewhere: Where were all you naysayers when Zim beat BD, where were you when we took PK to a 5th day in 1 attempt (something the #1 team has failed to do in 2)? Where were you when we almost beat NZ (despite not bowling them out twice - we created enough pressure with the ball to induce a declaration) in zim a few months back? I feel a lot of teams are frustrated with their own (Ind=whitewash, Aus=beaten by NZ at home+ 47a.o, SA=3 failures to win a series at home, Eng=no change of fortune in subcontinent as #1...) and are here to take it out on us. We will survive your verbal outrage and see y'all soon...at a test ground near you:);)

on January 29, 2012, 11:27 GMT

Awesome man!Dissapointed that I did not get a chance to watch the match on tv...lovely performance nz!keep it up...

4test90
on January 29, 2012, 9:46 GMT

To all the Zim players, the city of Napier was destroyed by earthquake in 1931, and rebuilt in art deco splendor, some beautiful buildings on the water - get out and see them, you have 2 full days to fill in !!

on January 29, 2012, 8:38 GMT

Actually I only just realized... Where was Guptil?

on January 29, 2012, 7:23 GMT

Wicketttttttttttttttttttttttttttts.............

ashiitr
on January 29, 2012, 6:46 GMT

Is it right that Zimbabwe's 2nd worst defeat is by 7 runs against NZ in 2005? I think its not that bad.

TrickyKid
on January 29, 2012, 6:39 GMT

@Tamal Datta: India have been bowled out twice in one day
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/62739.html

It is very difficult for any team to win away from home, especially when you haven't done so for 8 years.
The real litmus test for N.Z. will be S.A. Their bowling line-up has a good 20+ kph on the Zim bowlers for a start....

dulabari
on January 29, 2012, 3:24 GMT

x-squire-x "........., at least then useless games such as this would be reduced, and we can have more series like the current eng/pak."

How about the India-Aus series? Is it useless too?

Chris_P
on January 29, 2012, 2:43 GMT

@SirViv1973. "NZL are no great shakes" Have you seen their performaces on these pitches? They would beat EVERY team in these conditions. They showed great character to beat Aus in Hobart, the same Australian team that flogged India, albeit on different pitches. The point being that the Aussie bowling attack was matched by the Kiwis, (in these conditions), so a little positive acknowledgement to the Kiwis is due, I would suggest.

on January 29, 2012, 1:14 GMT

As a die hard Zimbabwe fan i will be the first to admit that this was an abysmal performance at absolute best. But I dont understand all this nonsense about how Zimbabwe and Bangladesh should not have test status. Clearly not many on this board have been watching recent cricket tests. Australia were bowled out for 47 in South Africa. Look at India, first in England and now in Australia. Are these not great cricket nations? Indeed they are, but they too are not spared by the occasional humiliating result. People forget that Zimbabwe and NZ played one of the tests of year last year when Zim narrowly lost by 34 runs yet people are talking rubbish. Zimbabwe pushed Pakistan for 5 days last year and look at what that same Pakistan team has done to Sri Lanka and now England.. The ball is round people, but doesnt mean you always know which way its gonna bounce. Results, much like an leading edge, can go anyway. Give Zimbabwe time, its our first foreign adventure!

Rick_T
on January 29, 2012, 0:27 GMT

Tamal Datta - Sorry but you are incorrect. India has been bowled out twice in 1 day. Against England at Old Trafford in 1952 on Day 3, India were bowled out for 58 and 82 in less than 1 day.

mahjut
on January 28, 2012, 23:23 GMT

Hrit24 ...sha, just manage your expectations a little better! i was disappointed too but we were always going to be struggling away from home as we simply don't have experience, NZ were better than us at home (though it was close in the end, we didn't take 20 wickets) and have improved much since...beating aus in their back yard and being at home it was always going to be hard. That it was this shambolic is a real shame, and although wholesale changes should not be made we should make some...Vusi , Price and Mpofu will return to lend experience...So the attack will be different and the batting will be strengthened. That does not mean we will compete with anyone other than BD but don't be too disheartened, I promise the domestic set-up is unearthing good bowlers who will in turn stengthen the batting. We are where we should be. one-off tests here and there (Eng and Oz won't do them - fine) We're still ahead of Ireland (strong rumours they've been encouraging a few zim players to defect)

MikeMiller
on January 28, 2012, 22:44 GMT

How churlish of some people to question Zimbabwe's test status. If we're going to get carried away by big losses then shouldn't we remove India's test status after their capitulation in Australia! In fact, the entire concept of conferring test status is somewhat arrogant; surely any cricketing contest between two countries is a test? Soccer players count international goals scored against San Marino or Botswana, don't they?

Sombrehombre
on January 28, 2012, 21:56 GMT

Wow this was an incredible day. NZ should not get too carried away, but great to see reward for metally applying themsleves with the bat and bowling good consistent lines with the ball. A team like NZ needs to be consistent to get results rather than relying on individual performance. I like where we are heading, enthusiastic and confident young team, competition for places. Now even Ryder has to actually get in shape before he gets his place back.

bedouin
on January 28, 2012, 21:24 GMT

Lets not be too harsh on Zimbabwe, it must be remembered that New Zealand have just returned from beating Australia in Australia within the last couple of months and India have shown how hard that is.
This team that Zimbabwe lost to are probably the best New Zealand side since the days of Hadlee, Turner, Wright, Crowe and Chatfield pulled on the white pants.

enigma77543
on January 28, 2012, 18:42 GMT

Again, this is mockery of "Test-cricket" to be honest, in this day & age when Tests are having to compete with all the T20 BS & matches such as these don't help AT ALL. I think ICC should just 8 teams on Test-status with a promotion/relegation system, it could be increased in the future as more teams progress but 8 seems ok at the moment & have an annual or biannual 4-day tournament teams ranked 9 & below get to test their mettle & the winner has an opportunity to dislodge the 8th team & take their place until the next such tournament & so on. Tours for 4-day matches could be organised between A teams of Test-teams & the non-Test nations so that they continue to improve & so on. Not to mention, such system will also put pressure on Test-teams that are laggng behind as they could be knocked out by the winner of the said tournament which will also push Test-teams to be more competitive & play every match hard & that'll be good for Test-cricket & its popularity.

zaman_ash
on January 28, 2012, 17:18 GMT

Touring team- IND, ENG, ZIM. Result- all getting THRASHEDDDD...it's becoming a trend these days that irrespective of cricketing/financial strength all teams share the same fate.

rsurya
on January 28, 2012, 17:09 GMT

Zimbabwe Vs India would be a tough call, two similar teams (when played away).

Smithie
on January 28, 2012, 16:52 GMT

Unfortunately Zim has only retained Test status due to its surrogate nature as an additional Indian vote on the ICC Board. This is a prime example of Indian hegemony and a reason why Ireland should be admitted to balance things up to some extent.
The Wolfe report on ICC governance is the first major challenge for Alan Isaacs to tackle when he takes over from Pawar as the ICC boss. The second is get DRS mandatory and operating under ICC Elite Umpiring Panel auspices asap. Much rests on his shoulders to get the ICC operating as a truly professional custodian of cricket that is working in the overall (rather than vested) interests of the game. Time to get your profile up Mr Isaacs!

on January 28, 2012, 16:06 GMT

I find it really interesting to read those who say Bangladesh's test status along with Zimbabwe should be stripped off, its seriously a very ignorant comment, Bangladesh proved to be a much stronger competitor, recently against Pakistan they played quite well in tests, hey almost drew one of two tests played in a condition which favoured Pakistan largely, where against Pakistan no. 1 England team stumbled and bowled out for 72. Imrul Kayes and Tamim iqbal were the best opening pair of Asia outside Asia in the last couple of yeas. And outside subcontinent Bangladesh performed better than even team India, please be sensible while commenting friends.

on January 28, 2012, 16:01 GMT

People now you should understand why Zim. Ban. got limited Test Matches a year...Thank you God. Test should be played only by the Top Six Teams.

Guthers007
on January 28, 2012, 15:19 GMT

How can Zimbabwe continue to be tagged as Test playing nation, along with Bangladesh? Too may players are being boosted by performances against 3rd rate teams!

on January 28, 2012, 15:06 GMT

renewing their record ! zimbabwe !

Nduru
on January 28, 2012, 14:34 GMT

Why, when team like Zim and Bangla have a poor performance do people always come up with the silly statements that Ireland or Canada (!) should be given test status instead? What makes you think Ireland or Canada would do any better against top opposition? Look at Intercontinental Cup performnces and you will see that these teams are also below par and would also get slaughtered by the other test teams. Yes, the fact is, Zim and Bangla struggle, but replacing them with other small teams is not going to help as these replacements will do just as poorly. I still maintain that you need to consider ALL four of Zim's test perfomances of which they have only had one really bad match. How can people then say that one bad match out of four means that we are not good enough? Look at England - beaten thoroughly by Pak and bowled out for 73 today! Does that mean that they are suddenly not good enough for test status?

drtrinileggie
on January 28, 2012, 14:23 GMT

BANGLADESH AND ZIMBABWE ARE A BIG JOKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! IRELAND MUST BE ALLOWED IN TO THE TEST ARENA.

PACEGUY
on January 28, 2012, 13:34 GMT

Pace bowlers not getting the extreme best of support and fun from New Zealand Pitches, unlike South Africa who pretty much have the most livel and bouncy and fastest pitches in the world. GOOD LUCK 2 all

mahjut
on January 28, 2012, 13:27 GMT

I had a worst case scenario in my mind before this test ... never again will i make my goals so lofty!!! big set-back...they were poor throughout but most especially with the ball...batting collapses we expect (and NZ bowled well) even if not quite to this degree but the bowling was our sronger suite. Theoretically anyway: we did lose Price, Mpofu and Meth (who might or might not have got a game anyway) - if I have to clutch at straws. NZ are form team...doubt they'll beat SA but they look good to offer some serious competition! good luck with that.

nzcricket174
on January 28, 2012, 12:37 GMT

zim should be ashamed but not "quit cricket" ashamed. here in nz we are used to defeats such as the one we just dished out. we got used to it so a huge win like this is sort of odd.

on January 28, 2012, 12:32 GMT

Come on guys, get it together, this was their first away test. Let's see what the one dayers will bring

cricketlord2011
on January 28, 2012, 12:18 GMT

Not to be too harsh on Zim - remember NZ beat Aus in Aus who have now just beat India 4-0 so fair to say NZ are on the improve and Zim would've beneffited from another tough 3-4 day warm up game. Shot selection was very poor, but facing 500 on the board with an inexperienced batting line up, it's no surprise. Excellent disipline by NZ, the true tes will be trying to draw or even win the series vs SA. I think the NZ Zim 1 dayers will be closer but NZ should still win. Should've played 2 tests and less 20/20s, what's the point in them when they won't even make $$ (small NZ crowds and bigger countries won't want to buy the TV rights for such a series!)

M-S-R
on January 28, 2012, 12:17 GMT

Com'n Zimbabwe, even no 1 test playing nation couldn't survive > 2 session in their game- doesn't make them a bad team!! Keep it up for the next match!!!

Erebus26
on January 28, 2012, 11:26 GMT

Well everything that could go wrong did go wrong for Zimbabwe. This was their first test on an overseas wicket but they were frankly abysmal. There was no discipline from the bowlers and their batsmen showed no application. But on the other hand its quite ridiculous to call for their exclusion from test cricket based on this performance. In their first three tests they beat Bangladesh, took Pakistan into the last day and almost shocked New Zealand before losing what had been a close game. Lets just hope this is a one off. One thing that could help is more A tours abroad against decent opposition so a lot of the young Zim players can get used to playing on foreign surfaces. For New Zealand it keeps up the momentum they had from the win against Australia but this was hardly the decent examination they needed in advance of the series with South Africa.

on January 28, 2012, 11:12 GMT

Maybe Odds cricket should be played by Zim at this level is NZ XI v Zim XXII

LynadThike
on January 28, 2012, 10:59 GMT

Well it can Only get better from here!! The problem is that when players are out of form like Hami the Zim selectors have very little options to go with, and even then leave out a player Who is (Sibanda) for petty beauracracy. Vitori did not seem to be particularly interested In The first two days, and only started firing when it was too late. The batsmen seemed to be way out of their depth, and just goes to show their over reliance on Taylor of late, who to be fair will hit a bad patch now and again.

I can't but feel that if the series was structured in the same way that the Zim one was where the test is at the end of the tour, it would have given them time to get used to conditions and the opposition as was the case in the last series.

analyseabhishek
on January 28, 2012, 10:57 GMT

@Gizza- you have a wicked sense of humour- I cant stop myself from chuckling (with a few tears...)
But is touring becoming so difficult in Cricket? Perhaps a good junior level structure for overseas tours is necessary. Else matches will keep becoming the source of embarrassment and bloated records.

MeijiMura
on January 28, 2012, 10:41 GMT

This result comes as no surprise to me. Being competitive when playing at home on batsmen-friendly unrepsonsive pitches in Zimbabwe is one thing but playing away on surfaces and in overhead conditions that offer assistance to the bowlers re: pace, bounce, swing and seam is another thing altogether.

Zimbabwe are still a long way away from being competitive at the top level but they could at least get the basics right. The one thing Zimbabwe could always pride themselves on was their fielding but since readmission to Test Cricket last year their fielding has been abysmal. They should pay a lot more attention to their fielding so that they have at least one area of the game they can excel at even if they lack skills in other departments re: their batting and bowling. Given more overseas exposure I expect their batting and bowling to improve, eventually. Maybe they could start by preparing more lively pitches at home than the lifeless pitches they currently play on back home?

on January 28, 2012, 10:25 GMT

From what I saw, Zimbabwe need to look to their bowling - they just didn't have the pace and accuracy to put enough pressure on. Good result for NZ though - they stl had to take the catches to put the game away which they did well.

Hrit24
on January 28, 2012, 10:18 GMT

I realize it was really silly for me to be caught up in the hype when the Zimbabweans played well in their first three Tests. Its high time those performances are regarded as flukes and with this match, my faith has been reinforced that neither Zimbabwe nor Bangladesh deserve Test status. Ireland should be given Test status instead.

Buggsy
on January 28, 2012, 10:07 GMT

Seriously, why do Zimbabwe still have their test status? Ireland or Canada would do better than this lot.

Nduru
on January 28, 2012, 10:04 GMT

Understandably, people will question Zim's Test status after such a defeat. But lets put it into context. This was their first away test, and they were obviously going to struggle in foreign conditions against a seam attack that put Australia to the sword. Yes, the way they capitulated was unacceptable and the fact that the senior guys like Taylor, Taibu and Hamilton could not get 10 runs between them in two innings is utterly pathetic. They should have been setting the tone for the likes of Waller and Chakabva, not the other way around. But I hope they can learn from this and continue to build on the very encouraging performances from last year (which should be remembered when you consider Zim's test status). They did very well against all three oppositions, including Pakistan, who have proved to be a very good test team at the moment. I think they would have done better had the ODI series been played first as they would have acclimatised better too.

on January 28, 2012, 9:27 GMT

Zimbabwe have to be given the chance to get back into the mix after years out of Test cricket, but this suggests they are still not ready whatever the ICC and Zimbabwe Cricket might claim.

tompuffin
on January 28, 2012, 9:20 GMT

As an NZ supporter, I was extremely disappointed with Zimbabwe's showing, at the very least, I was expecting another day's entertainment. However, I also hoped that they would give the NZ batsman and bowlers some experience in dealing with pressure, which they didn't, before SA. I'm also not carried away by this too, because their bowling wasn't THE best, and they gave too many wide ones with the new ball. I also hope Vettori can find some form (with the ball) before the next tests, as he looked unthreatening

on January 28, 2012, 9:13 GMT

Wish the kiwis had India next.

brunomuzo
on January 28, 2012, 8:28 GMT

This defeat is especially hard to swallow considering that we nearly beat the same opposition in Bulawayo a few months ago in the one off test.The composition of both teams on paper looks relatively the same as for the Bulawayo test .All credit to the NZ bowlers but really really Zimbabwe should not have capitulated in such a manner as they did considering that the NZ team looked quite comfortable batting on the same track.Indeed there is inexperience on the part of Zim bowlers but the batters ought to show greater application next time around.

x-squire-x
on January 28, 2012, 8:24 GMT

pathetic... why are zimbabwe and bangladesh still allowed to play test cricket, time for the icc to review things and make some strong stances. first of all they need to stop worshipping thed bcci and make drs mandatory. next, they should divide test teams into two leagues, and have a promotion system, at least then useless games such as this would be reduced, and we can have more series like the current eng/pak.

on January 28, 2012, 8:16 GMT

Is this a first in test cricket...bowling out a team twice in a day?

SirViv1973
on January 28, 2012, 7:51 GMT

Serious questions will once again be asked as to if Zim are up to test cricket. NZL are no great shakes themselves so for them to blow Zim away like this does no good for the game. If Zim and Ban have to play test cricket then surely the time has come to add Ire to the mix if this was Ire vs Zim it would be far more competitive.

on January 28, 2012, 7:27 GMT

This is a totally unacceptable performance by Zimbabwe. With the amount of talent they have in the line up, they need to be more responsible than this.

Gizza
on January 28, 2012, 6:48 GMT

We need India vs Zimbabwe on an Oceanian pitch. That would be a good contest.

on January 28, 2012, 6:42 GMT

At a team is there not better than India!!!!At least India has not been bowled twice in a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

on January 28, 2012, 6:35 GMT

I thought we did bad. Thanks, Zimbabwe.

hodgies
on January 28, 2012, 6:26 GMT

this and the hobart win are just the beginning for this very young and exciting NZ team. i pick they will be close to the #1 test and ODI side in 3 years time. with Williamson and Guptil in the top 10 batsmen in both rankings, and Bracewell and Southee in top 10 bowlers

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hodgies
on January 28, 2012, 6:26 GMT

this and the hobart win are just the beginning for this very young and exciting NZ team. i pick they will be close to the #1 test and ODI side in 3 years time. with Williamson and Guptil in the top 10 batsmen in both rankings, and Bracewell and Southee in top 10 bowlers

on January 28, 2012, 6:35 GMT

I thought we did bad. Thanks, Zimbabwe.

on January 28, 2012, 6:42 GMT

At a team is there not better than India!!!!At least India has not been bowled twice in a day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Gizza
on January 28, 2012, 6:48 GMT

We need India vs Zimbabwe on an Oceanian pitch. That would be a good contest.

on January 28, 2012, 7:27 GMT

This is a totally unacceptable performance by Zimbabwe. With the amount of talent they have in the line up, they need to be more responsible than this.

SirViv1973
on January 28, 2012, 7:51 GMT

Serious questions will once again be asked as to if Zim are up to test cricket. NZL are no great shakes themselves so for them to blow Zim away like this does no good for the game. If Zim and Ban have to play test cricket then surely the time has come to add Ire to the mix if this was Ire vs Zim it would be far more competitive.

on January 28, 2012, 8:16 GMT

Is this a first in test cricket...bowling out a team twice in a day?

x-squire-x
on January 28, 2012, 8:24 GMT

pathetic... why are zimbabwe and bangladesh still allowed to play test cricket, time for the icc to review things and make some strong stances. first of all they need to stop worshipping thed bcci and make drs mandatory. next, they should divide test teams into two leagues, and have a promotion system, at least then useless games such as this would be reduced, and we can have more series like the current eng/pak.

brunomuzo
on January 28, 2012, 8:28 GMT

This defeat is especially hard to swallow considering that we nearly beat the same opposition in Bulawayo a few months ago in the one off test.The composition of both teams on paper looks relatively the same as for the Bulawayo test .All credit to the NZ bowlers but really really Zimbabwe should not have capitulated in such a manner as they did considering that the NZ team looked quite comfortable batting on the same track.Indeed there is inexperience on the part of Zim bowlers but the batters ought to show greater application next time around.